The finale to the Whitsundays Arts Festival, the inaugural Songwriter Residency culminates in an event featuring 6 professional songwriters bringing their new work to the public. At The Belvedere at Toscana, enjoy a fine dining 3 course meal with a glass of sparkling on arrival, hear about our professional songwriters' creative process and share in brand new music written in the Whitsundays in previous days by some of Australia's most talented writers. Tickets will be released for this event through the Whitsundays Arts Festival.

One Day Emerging Songwriter Workshop opportunity for a limited number of writers, to work with professional songwriter mentors in this stunning Whitsundays setting. Learn practical ways to overcome songwriters’ biggest barriers including writer’s block and perfectionism whilst working closely with our team of mentors to start and develop your songs with the opportunity to showcase in our afternoon session.

This workshop will be facilitated by Francesca de Valence founder of I Heart Songwriting Club, with guidance from our incredible faculty: Graeme Connors, Tia Gostelow, Karen Jacobsen, Bryce Sainty and LT (Leanne Tennant).

Perhaps she tells you what to do or where to go every day. The original Aussie voice of “Siri” is Karen Jacobsen, an award winning Singer and Songwriter, celebrating the release of the title track of her new record THE SLIPSTREAM.

Karen captures the essence of what humanity has been going through in her cinematic, piano-driven songs. Performing live at the piano, her powerful vocals and impactful storytelling will leave you entertained and inspired. Her timeless, melodic music with a message is the musical hug the world needs right now.

On the first visit back to her NYC home of 20 years after leaving for a few weeks for Australia in March 2020 until the pandemic “blew over,” expect a night of connection, celebration and tears of joy. Harry Connick Jr called her “hypnotic” on his national talk show, and she was told she had made it when she became a clue in The New York Times Crossword puzzle.

"...you can’t help listening because her voice and piano playing are so hypnotically beautiful...that voice is sweet heartbreak.” - Jennifer Layton, Indie-Music.com

“A super musical performance: Karen Jacobsen, in a spectacular gown, is beautiful, funny, a lovely light-fingered pianist and a terrific singer with a fine clear voice who writes melodically original personal songs giving glimpses of her life and relationships. She totally engages her audience with her charm, her voice and her wit and she can hold a note like Jerry Colonna, It’s a treat to be entertained by this talented, lovely woman. Catch her if you can. It’s one of the best performances of the decade.” - Richmond Shepard

Approx Running Time: 70 minutes

3 courses from our a la carte menu and a forty minute set $105 p/p

Karen is celebrating the release of the title track from her new album THE SLIPSTREAM at the acclaimed Claire’s Kitchen. New York based for 20 years, now living in the glorious Whitsundays, Karen will perform her cinematic, piano-driven songs in her natural habitat, live on stage in an evening of powerful vocals and impactful storytelling that will leave you entertained and inspired. Her timeless, melodic songs are the musical hug the world needs right now.

Join us on YT for a LIVE PREMIERE of the Music Video at 10 AM June 4th, AEST which is 8 PM June 3rd, USA East Coast time.

The Music Video - for THE SLIPSTREAM was filmed in the Whitsundays, showcasing the beauty of the region known for the GREAT BARRIER REEF, with a local creative team and support from Whitsunday Regional Council and Arts Queensland. Filming is by Tanya D’Herville Photo & Video, Makeup by Corissa Ivory, Funk It Up, Hair by Yvonne Meenaghan and Kaylissa Crowley, Wardrobe by Katie McCouat of Love & Wore and Jason Chetcuti, Chetcuti Couture, Production Management by Tom Hudak. The Music Video is edited by 3 x Emmy Award winning editor Chris Orwat of Pure Cinematography.

The Song - the title track THE SLIPSTREAM is an expression of searching for answers and meaning. Ultimately uplifting, the surprising and satisfying musical turns capture summiting the emotional mountain of life.

The Producer - Produced by Matt Anthony (Darius Rucker, Shinedown, Pat Monahan of Train) at Engine Sound in New York City, recording began remotely in late 2021, immediately after the release of Karen’s 10th studio album READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR. With an abundance of material, and a creative focus enabled by the pandemic, the songs were recorded across time zones and distance between Karen's new location half a world away near Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and Matt's studio in the North-East of the United States (9560 miles to be exact).

The Voice - Jacobsen’s speaking voice reached pop culture status when she became the “Australian Karen’ voice of GPS and the original Australian voice of ‘Siri.’

The Brand - This led to creating empowerment brand The GPS Girl®, international corporate speaking engagements and becoming author of two books about navigating change powerfully.

The Upheaval - Her family Recalculated and relocated personally in 2020 leaving New York City for Australia for what they thought would be several weeks while the pandemic 'blew over'. Unexpectedly, they are now based at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef and the 74 tropical islands of the Whitsundays in North Queensland, Australia.

The Destination Ambassador - Karen is the official Whitsundays Destination Ambassador and voice of wildly successful advertising campaigns to entice visitors to the region. The tourism sector has been deeply affected by COVID, and the million dollar Wonders of the Whitsundays campaign garnered over AUD $18 million in bookings. Her journey was profiled in an episode of HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL viewed in 200 countries. The Quote - Despite the unexpected turmoil of moving countries, Karen says, “being in the most pristine nature and looking out at the Coral Sea has been a miracle for our family, not to mention endlessly inspirational. The beauty of nature is healing and we feel very fortunate to have been able to choose this option at a time that has been devastating for many.”  When asked about the message behind her music, Jacobsen said “for many of us, these times have been a jolt, and yet an opportunity to take a stark look at our lives and what we want to experience. I personally know dozens of people who have made big decisions about their futures; from where they live to what they spend their time doing. It’s been an era of getting clear about what is truly important.” 

MUSIC VIDEO CREDITS Director: Karen Jacobsen Filming: Tanya D’Herville Photo & Video Editing: Chris Orwat, Pure Cinematography Makeup: Corissa Ivory, Funk It Up Hair: Yvonne Meenaghan & Kaylissa Crowley Wardrobe Director: Katie McCouat Wardrobe: Chetcuti Couture and Love & Wore Production Manager: Tom Hudak, The Art of the Reef Production Assistant: Hayden Hudak

This Regional Tourism Music Video Project is supported by Arts Queensland.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Whitsunday Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

RECORDING CREDITS Karen Jacobsen The Slipstream Music & Lyrics: Karen Jacobsen (APRA) Piano & Vocals: Karen Jacobsen Guitar, Bass & Tracks: Matt Anthony Producer: Matt Anthony Recorded, Mixed & Mastered: Matt Anthony at Engine Sound, New York City ©Kurly Queen Records

Keynote Speaker and Performer Karen Jacobsen presents "Recalculating"

International Women’s Day is an incredibly important opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and those who have championed change around diversity and inclusion. Resource Industry Network hosts its popular International Women’s Day Business Lunch on March 8 each year and facilitates discussions around diversity in the sector and in business! Last year's event SOLD OUT weeks in advance. Karen Jacobsen will MC and Panel Host an extraordinary day.

Live Television Interview and Music Performance of TAKE ME TO HAYMAN ISLAND on national Australian show Studio 10

INTERNATIONAL LISTENING PARTY RECORD RELEASE EVENT: Join me for a Listening Party celebration to hear the ten brand new songs from READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR.

I will introduce each song LIVE from the Whitsundays near Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and share about the inspiration and behind the scenes of the creative process. You will then hear the studio recording, with live interaction and time for Q & A afterward.

From wherever you are in the world, let's celebrate new music and all good things.

Ten cinematic, piano-driven songs with powerful female vocals and inspiring messages; the new album READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR is the music with a message the world needs right now.

XOXO

You can PRE-ORDER the record at karenjacobsen.com

If you are in New York USA East Coast this event is 7PM Friday Nov 5th xo If you are in California USA West Coast this event is 4PM Friday Nov 5th xo If you are Sydney or Melbourne AUSTRALIA this event is at 10AM Saturday Nov 6th xo Listed time is Queensland, AUSTRALIA time zone! xo

REGISTER AT THIS LINK in advance for the EVENT: https://youtu.be/dQZgBisr4Os

After an unexpected year in her native Australia, usually New York based international voice-over artist, singer-songwriter and motivational speaker, Karen Jacobsen celebrates the release of her new album READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR on November 4th, 2021.  Ten cinematic, piano-driven songs with powerful female vocals and inspiring messages; the new album READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR is the music with a message the world needs right now.  The title track is an expression of her quest to make a difference and find deeper purpose in life. Produced by Matt Anthony (Darius Rucker, Shinedown, Pat Monahan of Train) at Engine Sound in New York City, recording began in September of 2019 before the interruption of the pandemic. After almost a year, video sessions and remote recording enabled the completion of the record between Karen's new location half a world away near Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and Matt's studio in the North-East of the United States (9560 miles to be exact).

The University's Outstanding Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the diverse achievements of alumni, across their fields of endeavour and in their communities.

Karen Jacobsen will EmCee the gala event.

Mackay-born, and usually New York-based, international voice-over artist, singer-songwriter, and motivational speaker, Karen Jacobsen will perform an intimate concert as the finale for the Whitsunday Arts Festival. Perhaps she has given you directions, her voice is in over a billion devices as the original Aussie voice of “Siri”, but her natural habitat is live on stage.

Karen will perform her piano driven and timeless melodic songs along with excerpts from her show “Mackay to Manhattan a Musical Memoir”. Her powerful vocals and impactful storytelling will leave you entertained and inspired.